Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)

Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualification and other issues relating to professional services under CEPA

Construction and Related Engineering Services

Securities and Futures Services

Insurance Services

Patent Agents Services

Professional Accountants Services

Estate Agents

Construction and related Engineering Services

• For latest information on mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the Mainland and Hong Kong regarding construction and related engineering services, please visit the web site of Development Bureau, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG).
  
  

• Architects

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) and the National Administration Board of Architectural Registration signed in Beijing on 17 February 2004 an agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualification in architecture. The first training and test session under the agreement was held in May 2004.  The qualification certificates were presented to the successful candidates on 16 August 2004.  Both sides jointly held their second training and test session under the mutual recognition agreement in May 2005. For details, please contact HKIA:

Address	19/F, One Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Telephone	2511 6323
Fax	2519 6011 / 2519 3364
Web site	http://www.hkia.net
Email	info@hkia.net

• Structural Engineers

The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) and the National Administration Board of Engineering Registration (Structural) signed in Beijing on 27 August 2004 a reciprocal recognition agreement for structural engineers. For details, please contact HKIE:

Address	9/F, Island Beverley,1 Great George Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Telephone	2895 4446
Fax	2577 7791
Web site	http://www.hkie.org.hk
Email	hkie-sec@hkie.org.hk

• Estate Surveyors

The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers signed a reciprocity agreement on 4 November 2003 for estate surveyors in Hong Kong and real estate appraisers in the Mainland. The first training and test session under the agreement was held in March 2004. The qualification certificates were presented to the successful candidates on 20 August 2004.  For details, please contact HKIS:

Address	Suite 801, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone	2526 3679
Fax	2868 4612
Web site	http://www.hkis.org.hk
Email	info@hkis.org.hk

• Planners

The Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) and the National Administration Board (NAB) of Professional Planners System of the Ministry of Construction signed an agreement on mutual recognition of professional planning qualifications between Hong Kong and the Mainland on 24 May 2005. For details, please contact HKIP:

Address	Room 1901, 19/F, Hang Lung Centre, 2 - 20 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
Telephone	2915 6212
Fax	2915 7616
Web site	http://www.hkip.org.hk/
Email	hkiplann@netvigator.com

• Quantity Surveyors

The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Engineering Cost Association signed on 24 May 2005 a mutual recognition agreement for quantity surveyors in Hong Kong and cost engineers in the Mainland. The first training and test session under the agreement was held from 28 November to 1 December 2005. The qualification certificates were presented to the successful candidates on 11 May 2006. On the basis of the mutual recognition agreement, a supplementary agreement was signed on 22 June 2009. For details, please contact HKIS:

Address	Suite 801, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone	2526 3679
Fax	2868 4612
Web site	http://www.hkis.org.hk
Email	info@hkis.org.hk

• Building Surveyors

The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and the China Association of Engineering Consultants (CAEC) signed on 27 June 2006 a mutual recognition agreement for building surveyors in Hong Kong and engineering consultants of the CAEC in the Mainland. For details, please contact HKIS:

Address	Suite 801, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone	2526 3679
Fax	2868 4612
Web site	http://www.hkis.org.hk
Email	info@hkis.org.hk

Securities and Futures Services

• The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and the China Securities Regulatory Commission signed in December 2003 the "Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement - Arrangements relating to Qualifications of Securities and Futures Industry Practitioners". For details of the arrangement for mutual recognition of professional qualification of CEPA, please refer to parts 3.5 and 3.15 of the "Related Frequently Asked Questions", which is accessible at the hyperlink below. 

Related Frequently Asked Questions

For further enquiries, please contact SFC:

Address	8th Floor, Chater House, 8 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
Telephone	2840 9393
Fax	2501 0375
Web site	http://www.hksfc.org.hk
Email	licensing@hksfc.org.hk

Insurance Services

• The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) and the China Insurance Regulatory Commission signed on 17 February 2004 a cooperative agreement on matters relating to Hong Kong residents' participation in the Mainland qualifying examinations for insurance intermediaries. For details, please contact OCI:

Patent Agents Services

• Starting from 2004, Hong Kong residents are able to take the "National Qualification Examination for Patent Agents" administered by the State Intellectual Property Office and seek to qualify as patent agents in the Mainland after having completed a period of apprenticeship and complied with other related procedures . For details, please visit the web site of Intellectual Property Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

Related press release (pdf format) and FAQs

Professional Accountants Services

• The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau of the HKSARG and the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China signed on 27 August 2004 an agreement on the mutual exemption of certain examination papers for Mainland and Hong Kong accountants ( 內 地 與 香 港 註 冊 會 計 師 部 分 考 試 科 目 相 互 豁 免 協 議 ) (pdf format in Chinese). Supplementary agreements on the mutual exemption of certain examination papers and an agreement on the extension of the scope of beneficiaries for the mutual exemption arrangement (pdf format in Chinese) were signed in conjunction with the signing of the Supplement V on 29 July 2008. A second supplementary agreement on the mutual exemption of certain examination papers (pdf format in Chinese) was further signed on 1 November 2010. For details, please contact the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants or browse the website of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Estate Agents

• On 3 November 2010, Estate Agents Authority (EAA) of Hong Kong and China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and Agents, Mainland's national regulatory body, entered into agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualifications of estate agents in Hong Kong and in the Mainland (pdf format in Chinese). For details, please contact EAA:

　         Related press release